Leaky Waveguide Parking Occupancy Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring the occupancy status of parking spaces, especially in public lots and multi-storey car parks, are inadequate in accurately determining the presence of vehicles and the length of occupied areas, and are not easily scalable or cost-effective for large installations.
Innovation Solution
A method and device utilizing a pair of leaky waveguides to radiate and receive electromagnetic signals, where the presence of a vehicle affects the signal coupling, allowing for sensitive detection of occupancy status by measuring changes in signal amplitude, with the ability to retrofit existing spaces and minimize interference through frequency hopping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional occupancy detection methods are used, then the system can detect vehicle presence, but the measurement precision and sensitivity are insufficient for accurately determining occupancy status and occupied length
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or complex electronic detection systems with a waveguide-based electromagnetic field system. The leaky waveguides create an electromagnetic field that interacts with vehicles, and occupancy is detected by measuring changes in signal amplitude and propagation characteristics, eliminating the need for complex mechanical sensors or multiple electronic detectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The leaky waveguides act as intermediaries between the signal source and the vehicles. The waveguides radiate electromagnetic energy into the parking area and receive reflected signals from vehicles, mediating the detection process and providing sensitive measurement of occupancy status through field interactions rather than direct contact or complex electronics.
2Measurement precision
If more sensors or detection points are installed to improve occupancy monitoring coverage, then the detection accuracy improves, but the production costs and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The leaky waveguide system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it radiates electromagnetic energy, detects vehicle presence, determines occupancy status, and measures occupied length along the parking strip. A single waveguide installation provides comprehensive monitoring coverage without requiring multiple separate sensor systems, reducing both production costs and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from point-based detection to continuous linear detection along the waveguide. Instead of discrete sensors at specific points, the waveguide provides continuous sensing along its entire length, enabling detection of occupancy status and occupied length as continuous parameters rather than discrete point measurements.
3Measurement precision
If electromagnetic signals are radiated to detect vehicle presence, then the detection sensitivity improves, but interference from other sources may affect reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the reflected electromagnetic signals from vehicles as feedback to determine occupancy status. By analyzing the amplitude and characteristics of the returned signals, the system continuously monitors and adapts to the presence of vehicles, providing reliable detection even in the presence of environmental variations or other interference sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent detects occupancy by measuring changes in electromagnetic signal parameters (amplitude, propagation characteristics) caused by vehicle presence. The system monitors parameter variations rather than absolute values, making it resilient to constant interference sources while remaining sensitive to changes indicating vehicle occupancy.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a sensitive and cost-effective means to detect vehicle presence and occupancy status, scalable for large areas, with low production costs and immunity to interference, enabling precise determination of occupied and unoccupied spaces.
Implementation Method 1
at least part of the transmission energy is radiated from the first leaky waveguide into an area surrounding the first leaky waveguide, the radiated part of transmission energy being at least partially coupled into the second leaky waveguide
Implementation Method 2
a vehicle generally has surfaces and/or materials that at least partially reflect the radiated transmission energy, which ultimately corresponds in particular to an electromagnetic (EM) field, in the direction of the second leaky waveguide
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for detecting the occupancy status of a parking space, wherein the parking space comprises a first and a second leakage waveguide, comprising the following steps: - injecting a transmission signal having a predetermined transmission energy into the first leakage waveguide, such that at least part of the transmission energy is radiated from the first leakage waveguide into an environment of the first leakage waveguide, which is at least partially coupled into the second leakage waveguide, so that a received signal based on the coupled transmission energy propagates in the second leakage waveguide, - measuring the received signal, and - determining the occupancy status based on the measured received signal. The invention further relates to a device for detecting the occupancy status of a parking space and a computer program.